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Tuff Fluff
He may look like just a toy rabbit to you, but Tuff Fluff is Los Attic's toughest private detective. And right now, he's got a big problem. A teddy named Bluebell wants him to investigate the case of her friend Duckie's missing brain. And if Tuff Fluff doesn't find the answer quickly, they could all go quackers.
33 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
36 people want to read
About the author
Scott Nash
81 books26 followers"More and more, I'm being informed by television--animation---and children's books, both of which are sort of in my blood" says Scott Nash. "That's what my childhood was about." Inspired by everything from Uncle Wiggly and Raggedy Ann and Andy books to UNDERDOG cartoons and graphic novels, the celebrated illustrator recently made his authorial debut with TUFF FLUFF, a tongue-in-cheek mystery set in the shadowy corners of a toy-filled attic.
The vibrantly retro flair, humorous visual details, and pun-filled prose of TUFF FLUFF will have readers hot on the trail of a loveable, long-eared sleuth and his curious crew of discarded toys as they piece together a most peculiar puzzle. "I was aiming to create the sort of fantastic dramas that kids might play out with a cast of stuffed animals and action figures," Scott Nash explains. TUFF FLUFF is set "around the streets of Los Attic, a city that feels a little like Los Angeles stuck in a 1940s detective movies," adds the author-illustrator. "The cast of misfit toys created delightful opportunities for parodying the dialogue and style of classic film noir."
With TUFF FLUFF Scott Nash introduces writing to his repertoire, but he's no stranger the world of children's books. He's designed and illustrated more than twenty picture books to date, including the Brand New Readers MONKEY BUSINESS and MONKEY TROUBLE, both by David Martin. He says he found a special spark in his collaborations with Carol Diggory Shields, even though the two live on opposite coasts and have met only twice. "We must have been raised similarly or something, because we seem to have the same reference points," the illustrator notes.
After teaming up on MARTIAN ROCK and SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE DINOSAUR STOMP, author and artist discovered they had a favorite song in common, which led to their third book together. "There's a great old song by Burl Ives called 'The Ugly Bug Ball,' " Scott Nash explains. "Carol knew it, and I knew it, and that's how THE BUGLIEST BUG happened." Influenced by old cartoons and vintage picture books, the brilliant artwork in THE BUGLIEST BUG buzzes with exuberance, even if the illustrator admits to taking "huge liberties" with the bugs' physiology. "I decided they didn't really need to have six legs in every case," he says. "But I'm absolutely expecting to get trouble from kids about it."
Scott Nash is the cofounder of Big Blue Dot, a design studio that specializes in children's media. A native of Cape Cod, he now lives with his wife on an island off the coast of Maine.
The vibrantly retro flair, humorous visual details, and pun-filled prose of TUFF FLUFF will have readers hot on the trail of a loveable, long-eared sleuth and his curious crew of discarded toys as they piece together a most peculiar puzzle. "I was aiming to create the sort of fantastic dramas that kids might play out with a cast of stuffed animals and action figures," Scott Nash explains. TUFF FLUFF is set "around the streets of Los Attic, a city that feels a little like Los Angeles stuck in a 1940s detective movies," adds the author-illustrator. "The cast of misfit toys created delightful opportunities for parodying the dialogue and style of classic film noir."
With TUFF FLUFF Scott Nash introduces writing to his repertoire, but he's no stranger the world of children's books. He's designed and illustrated more than twenty picture books to date, including the Brand New Readers MONKEY BUSINESS and MONKEY TROUBLE, both by David Martin. He says he found a special spark in his collaborations with Carol Diggory Shields, even though the two live on opposite coasts and have met only twice. "We must have been raised similarly or something, because we seem to have the same reference points," the illustrator notes.
After teaming up on MARTIAN ROCK and SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE DINOSAUR STOMP, author and artist discovered they had a favorite song in common, which led to their third book together. "There's a great old song by Burl Ives called 'The Ugly Bug Ball,' " Scott Nash explains. "Carol knew it, and I knew it, and that's how THE BUGLIEST BUG happened." Influenced by old cartoons and vintage picture books, the brilliant artwork in THE BUGLIEST BUG buzzes with exuberance, even if the illustrator admits to taking "huge liberties" with the bugs' physiology. "I decided they didn't really need to have six legs in every case," he says. "But I'm absolutely expecting to get trouble from kids about it."
Scott Nash is the cofounder of Big Blue Dot, a design studio that specializes in children's media. A native of Cape Cod, he now lives with his wife on an island off the coast of Maine.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 28, 2020
Tuff Fluff is a stuffed animal bunny who's a detective so hard boiled he might as well be rabbit stew! A stuffed teddy bear needs Tuffy's help: her best friend, a stuffed animal ducky named Ducky (duh!) is missing his fluff-brain and needs it back. Tuffy tracks down the downy fluff thru the mean streets of the toy attic he calls his hometown. The stuffed animal community's greatest frenemy, the beanie toys, are soon grilled by Tuffy faster than a cheese sandwich. The only clue lies in the pages of a book about Blue Jay the Pirate...but can they get Ducky's fluff-brain back in time, and have the case, not to mention Ducky's cloth head, all stitched up? Scott Nash has created a classic kid's mystery in the mold of Encyclopedia Brown and Sesame Street's Sherlock Hemlock. A new hero is born....the Bunny Identity!
Four stars
Are you Tuffy Enuff?
Four stars
Are you Tuffy Enuff?
May 14, 2025
As an adult doing a quick read of a children's picture book ... I really enjoyed this! I actually have to wonder if that translates to children enjoying it. The "voice" here was the classic detective noir films, if it was in audio it absolutely would have that Brooklyn accent. I was entertained by the illustrations (the big blue bear, the poor ducky, the beanie babies) and honestly wasn't sure where this little mystery would lead. Quite a bit of text on each page, I have to wonder if kids would lose interest in the time it takes to read it.
November 27, 2019
A story of a stuffed rabbit who works as a private detective for other stuffed animals. a stuffed bunny going around with his head gaping open and his brain missing. There weren't really any "clues" for the reader to figure out what had happened. The illustrations were great which made the story exciting.
November 3, 2017
The voice is fun as the main character speaks like a stereotypical old-time television detective. A student brought this from home and the class found it amusing, although I wouldn't call it a favorite.
November 19, 2015
Tuff Fluff was a very interesting book to say the least! I enjoyed reading about the mysteries filled adventure of Tuff Fluff, Duckie and Bluebell as they embark in a journey to figure what happened to and where is Duckie's brain. Nash sets up the story quite nicely by introducing us to Tuff Fluff, who happens to be a stuffed bunny rabbit who works as a P.I in a stuffed animal city. Tuff Fluff is approached by Bluebell (a giant stuffed teddy bear) who needs help finding Duckie’s brain! And so the mystery begins, Tuff Fluff leads them in a remarkable adventure to find Duckie’s brain. As with any good story, the characters face some challenges along the way but they are able to work through these problems to help them achieve their goal. This book has great examples of bravery and friendship as the trio embarks in this amazing journey. This book would be great for read alouds, you can ask kids to make predictions as of what happened to Duckie’s brain, and you can help kids come up with their own solutions to the many problems faced by the characters in the story. The content of this book would be the most appealing to lower elementary school children, but I am sure upper elementary kids would get a kick out of the silliness of the story.
Happy reading!
Happy reading!
March 6, 2016
An okay story of a stuffed rabbit who works as a private detective for other stuffed animals. I just found the premise a bit macabre about stuffed bunny going around with his head gaping open and his brain missing. It lacked the charm of many other children's detective stories. There weren't really any "clues" for the reader to figure out what had happened.
The illustrations were good though - which is why I gave it three stars.
The illustrations were good though - which is why I gave it three stars.
August 9, 2012
This was a really fun book. It seems like it all about what happens when we our not around and our stuff animals friends step into action. What happened to Duckie's Brain...you'll have to read it. The humor will be appreciated by adults and kids. It is a little long and has lots of words so I would say this book is more for older elementary readers!
June 3, 2013
I truly love this book because I get to read it in a cheesy film noir voice, but it is a terrific tale with fantastic illustrations. Extra points for being a story that promotes a love of reading.
December 14, 2016
I was looking forward to this book for a long time (I'd heard the author give a talk at a library), and it did not disappoint. It was full of wonderful puns and interesting characters. I don't understand how Duckie lost his brain though?
November 10, 2008
Okay, read this aloud to your kids in your best "film noir" voice. So cute!
November 17, 2008
Frank says,"Good."
December 17, 2013
Perfect for those who liked the Trouble withChickens. It has a similar film noir feel, some silly jokes and dead pan humor. Hugely enjoyable for boys and girls.
April 20, 2014
Good mystery! We loved it!
March 31, 2015
This book was cute mystery story formatted like and old film noir. It was very fun to read, my 4 year old is not quite old enough to truly appreciate this book yet, but one day I am sure he will.
May 20, 2015
Fun old time detective story feeling in pictures and prose.
July 3, 2015
This book is so cute! the story was good enough to get my 11yr old out of her room to listen in.
June 4, 2016
A fun, quirky detective story staring a rabbit, ducky, and teddy.
Great for an older storytime crowd.
Would pair well with Jon Scieszka's books.
Great for an older storytime crowd.
Would pair well with Jon Scieszka's books.
June 23, 2011
Some of the humor might go over kids' heads, but my book discussion group liked it.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews